Scarface is the most famous and iconic one, the game and the movie both is gold just appreciate all Al’s work and when I think of Al Pacino I think of Scarface then comes Godfather second thought . I don’t understand how it’s dumb it’s a movie it don’t need realism as long the gangster movies is entertaining and has a good story it’s enough. The likes of Scarface is a movie that will never die sad that they canceled Scarface 2 game it would take place in Vegas!
Sasso/ Ronaldo was telling him right though that this is the same guy he was yrs ago. “Neva me”! Ugh it’s hard watching him make mistakes, this is one movie I always feel like has a chance to play out differently no matter how many times I see it.
its such a good movie, specially because its very different than other gangster films, its less focused on the underground crime story telling and the mafia side of it and more about the psychology of falling into crime, looking for redemption and trying to live a decent life and improve and how at some point it can even be too late to get out of it, it definitely hits you in the feels far harder than most other gangster/crime movies/series do
Without mentioning being one of the most visual stunning movies ever made. Greatest looking gangster film ever? Good chance there. De Palma is a genius with the camera.
@@T-roc57 That is interesting. The film is based on 2 books. The author's name is Edwin Torres. The other book is called After Hours. He was actually a judge and at 93 years old he is still going strong.
This is probably the best gangster movie in the 90s. What made it very dope imo, the "square" could relate to every character. Meaning the "straight guys" always want to be gangsters, while the "gangsters" want to be the straight guy. The new young gangster, wants the respect and he going to get it. The # 2 was tired of being # 2 and betray him. His nephew wanted to impress him. The only person that heard him, was the love of his life. But it was too late. He was running from his past, that he didn't see what the future had in store for him...
I'm currently rewatching carlitos way right now, I read your comment a few days ago before I rewatched it tonight. I always wanted him to escape and live as well. Your idea of turning it off before he gets shot is a good idea but on watching it tonight it shows you him getting two bullets to the chest or stomach so you can't escape the ending because the film begins with his execution lol
Great video. "The most underrated gangster film ever made" is the best description of Carlito's Way I have seen. It was not as popular as other movies because Carlito was killed at the end. That is not how American movie viewers like movies to end. I did not watch the film when it first came out but "found" it later and was amazed it had not been more popular. A gangster's journey to become straight and a lawyer's journey to become a gangster. Both fatally failing. Penn's singular best performance in his career. I will always view this Pacino role as one of his best. Thank you.
I think it was an instant classic!!! I rented it and watched it over and over again and before I knew it, it was like 3 months overdue. When I finally went to return it, the store had closed and I added it to my collection for the low, low price of $2.
Very tragic movie in a lot of ways. But one that left a big impression on me as a teenager. Love the idea of someone’s past chasing them. But I found myself pulling for Carlito along the way. Great film, albeit underrated.
@@williamweb9782 Penn gets all the attention bc I suppose it was the performance that got him taken seriously (probably b condemned as anti-semitic today) but Pacino brings great pathos to the role which he doesn't get enough credit for. He's so good so often it's like he's taken for granted. He wins for that Scent of a Woman bullshit then ha
Scarface is flashy, violent and really captures the "Cocaine Cowboys" scene of South Florida in the early eighties. However, I think Carlito's Way is a superior movie. Better story and script as well as stronger supporting roles performed perfectly by Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller and John Leguizamo. Also, Carlito's character just seemed more relatable and real while Tony Montana was just a savage.
I just rewatched this recently, as well, go figure. When I was 13 or so I got this movie for Christmas. Came in a bundle with American gangster, Scarface and something else, maybe Donnie Brasco. I enjoyed it a lot, maybe more than Scarface. I ended up giving the dvd to my best friend who loved it more than me. Just waxing nostalgic here, don’t mind me.
The ultimate tragedy, the friendship at the heart of it is one of the most beautifully played out I think in all cinema. Performances are brilliant, even the love story with Penelope Ann Miller doesn't come across as hokey or tacked on. De Palma is all big set pieces, long takes and the foot chase at the end is probably the best ever committed to film, Pacino genuinely looks like he's running for his life
it is underrated in terms of not being as popular and mainstream as Godfather, Scarface, Goodfellas, etc, a lot of people have not seen it as far as I know
@@Ar1AnX1xi just seen it and i loved it as much as Scarface, i would like to say it could even be caled Scraface 2 lol Another good Pacino movie performance that people are missing like the Devil's advocate
Yes, it is! I've been proselytizing Carlito's Way for the past 4-6 years! This is so much more than a "gangster movie", it's art. Carlito Brigante is a fully-formed human being, with regrets, friends, humor and love. He's also intelligent but his gangster instincts are like a default switch that is flipped when pressure from the streets is applied. He's done a lot of reading, knows there's a better world or there and can fit into it with time but simply being back in the barrio-even though it's only until he's saved enough money as a nightclub investor to set up his other legit business down in the Caribbean, where he'll be a full partner...he's IN that environment! These dealers and hustlers, their streetwise ways and the temptation to prove how tough you are when confronted by them all add up to a rotten stew. The movie is directed with such elegance, as the camera pans and tilts lovingly on its main characters and uses the same techniques to install uneasiness and fear, almost on the level of other great thrillers, as we feel the forces of selfish men roiling against him. We don't ever know exactly what the people around him are up to, but we can feel that it's usually not good. When he was a gangster there was a cold, a set of rules, honor. Now, not so much, just a bunch of cowboys out for themselves, including his lawyer. As he says after realizing Lalin betrayed him, "There's nobody left." Except for his woman, Gayle. A beautifully fatalistic love story about a good man bound for tragedy.
Timeless gangster classic of the 1990s, along with another masterpiece, Heat, and two Scorcese's films. Thank you for a smashing review, as usual, CineRanter.
Holy shit dude - you are really, REALLY smart and observant! I've seen this movie many times and the symbolism(s) you pointed out went over my head each time! This channel is turning out to be one of my prized subscriptions!
It's by far my favourite gangster film. As much as I love, love, love goodfellas, there is just something so tragic about this film. And that end shot and music 'tired baby, tired' 😢 gets me everytime!
@@somegreatbloke Don't get me wrong, I would happily watch goodfellas every day! But for me Carlitos Way is such a tragic but beautiful story that it just edges it for me. Goodfellas is definitely the more iconic film out the two though!
@plasticweapon what cos I don't go along with the cliché of Scarface being a 'classic'? Scarface is more a one dimensional story which showcases all the stereotypes associated with drug dealing. Tony Montana sat smoking a cigar in a bubble bath compared to a scene where Carlito watches Gail dance in appreciation couldn't be further apart in the narrative of good storytelling. One conveys a status, the other gives us a look into the mind of a changed man, a man with a really interesting arc. But hey, that's my taste.
Well I wouldn't say its better than Scarface. I always viewed it as a companion piece to Scarface. The guy who wants to get out vs the guy who only knows how to stay in. I will say the dialouge is better in Carlito's Way. More subtle. But the action in Scarface, the shootout in the staircase is arguably the greatest shotout in film history. There's an ultimate and inevitable tragedy that befalls both Tony and Carlito. You know its not going to end well for either. Pacino's performance is impeccable in both. So here's to the last of the MoRican's. Carlito's Way is an underrated classic and a must see for any gangster film aficionado. And remember " the streets are always watching."
Excellent breakdown. I have to disagree with Carlito seeing his old self in Benny. I would say Carlito was never the piece of shit Benny was because when Carlito came home from prison he still had so many loyal people left who had love for him. That kind of respect doesn't wait for people like Benny.
Yeah but, what did Benny do that was so bad? He tried to show Carlito the up most of respect. The broad in the bar belonged to the bar. Carlito was soft for jumping in Bennie's business like that man. That broad was a hooker man. Benny probably had been messing around with her while Carlito was still locked up.
@@coolpeople4287 What Benny did that was bad is he presumed to be on Carlito's level. Even though he showed Carlito respect, he showed NOBODY else respect and assumed he was someone Carlito should know. Even though alot of that is Benny being a product of the newer street era I still think it's safe to say he made himself a problem. That being said, Carlito probably could have finessed that problem if he cared to. Bottom line he didn't and he should have killed Benny once it got physical. That act of mercy was the glimpse of weakness that cost him everything in the end.
@@rustyjames2202I like Carlito. But he handled this wrong from start to finish. Everybody has to learn. Benny Showed him respect. The woman issue is something that Carlito should not have interfered in. No money was lost. You're in business to make money right? How is Benny so low that he would never get respect as you say he wasn't worthy? Carlito was waaaay wrong on this one man.
@@coolpeople4287 You say "everybody has to learn" as if it is Carlito's responsibility to teach him. It is not. Watch the movie. Do you see ANYBODY patronizing the club being a loud obnoxious dick? Nope. Benny was ruining the atmosphere and that is not true "respect". What he gave Carlito was "lip service" while still doing whatever the hell he wanted. Old Carlito would have killed Benny to send a message.
The reference to Carlito looking Italian by Pete Amandeso or Richard Faronji was a reference to Pacino really being Italian and being well known for being and playing Italians. But it was also a reference to the fact Carlito Brigante the character actually was at least part of Italian. He was from Puerto Rico spoke Spanish and raised in that culture here and in Spanish Harlem. But brigante actually is an Italian name is there is quite a few Italians in Puerto Rico but they're blended in and mixed together with predominantly Spanish/Native American/Black population. In fact his character was supposed to be from the hills of Puerto Rico where there's a lot of people from Corsica which is actually part of France but they speak Italian and are ethnically Italian. Anyway there's probably a lot of Puerto Rican people that are pure Spanish and could probably pass for Italian because Al could pass for Spanish. There are similar to the same Latin roots. And Pacino is Sicilian and the Sicilians have a lot of Spaniard blood in them.
@@dpaceesq - I'm serious like AIDS. Much more cinematic, fantastic supporting characters and a tighter story. Both great films but I lean toward Carlitos Way.
Superb review and great observations that I'd never realised. One of my favorite films and as usual a cracking review. Keep up the excellent content, kind regards
I find myself thinking of Dumas, not just because of the breaking down of a door for a woman that Carlito and Dumas share, but because while most people at least know the Three musketeers in name, the story and impact of the Count of Monte Cristo is probably more widespread in our current zeitgeist. If you somehow substitute Scarface for The Three musketeers you might be able to cobble together my point. Mostly I just wanted to talk about how great that scene is where he busts the door down.
EXCELLENT, HOWEVER IT'S A PITY THAT YOU DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT THE MAFIA SCENE JUST BEFORE THE METRO CHASE ONE. A MASTERPÌECE. CARLITO TELLING THE AUDIENCE WHAT HE THINKS AT ANY MOMENT...
This is my favorite movie of all time thought it was better than Scarface the pool hall scene alone is so anxiety inducing coming from someone familiar with the life
Better than Scarface. Yeah, I went there. Al Pacino plays a character, not a raving cartoon. Sean Penn was unrecognizable underneath his makeup. Benny Blanco from the Bronx is surprisingly effective (no I don’t know how to spell John’s last name).
Saw it by myself in an empty theater one afternoon… i literally could not move when it was over, i just sat there in awe until someone turned on the lights halfway through the credits….powerful.
I saw Carlito's Way for the 1st time in my 20s way after it came out, and that chase scene in train station was so intense and heartbreaking, after i saw it it became one of those movies if it is on I stop and watch it no matter what.
Glad to find your appreciation for this De Palma film. It is a minor masterpiece, I would argue. It is gorgeously filmed and, in my opinion, greatly underappreciated. Cheers 🍺
One thing about Carlito's Way is that the music played at the club scene is great. All the Disco music played was phenomenal. Sean Penn played a great role.
My favourite Pacino movie and the first one I saw as a kid. I used to get posters from the video shop when I was little, I had a Carlito's Way poster in my bedroom for years before I saw it. The one where Carlito is in the shadows. It's a superslick film.
I love the score to this movie. Especially the very end, when he knows it’s his time, and they’re wheeling him to try and save his life. “Gayle’s gonna be a good mom”
This is a tremendous film Pacino, Penn are great in this, I remember seeing this when it was 1st released a true classic. Have you done a review of thief with James cann another underated movie almost like Heat part 1. I do do know LA take down but Cann is like Neil mk1
it was Al Pacino's first movie after winning his Oscar .... he gave the most unbelievable performance ever .. it was total perfection ... the way he talks he walks & looking was magical ... flawless .... a lesson in acting
“Maybe you don’t remember me? “ “ maybe I don’t remember the last time I blew my nose either, who the fuck are you that is important enough for me to care”
My 3 favorite Brian DePalma movies are all gangster flicks. : Scarface, The Untouchables, and Carlito's Way. The latter is the most under rated. Al Pacino and Sean Penn both gave excellent performances.
Carlito's Way is kind of a beloved cult classic here in Argentina since it features Argentine actor Viggo Mortensen and (kinda) beloved argentine 70s comedian Jorge Porcel as the fat dude from the night club
Check out Empire if you've never seen it. It's not a sequel (there is a Carlitos way 2, but it doesn't count IMO), but more of an homage/love letter to this film. It has John L (who plays Benny Blanco from da Bronx) as the main character. And the ending is pretty fitting.
I'm a little ashamed to admit that when this movie did come out, i did kind of dismiss it as a lesser scarface, or maybe some kind of pretender sequel, but this movie doesn't deserve to be called either of those things, and for me its literally gotten better every time i have watched it. Cineranter is right, this IS prime depalma, there is nobody these days putting so much love and style in old school gangster movies besides scorcese. Classic.
Though that this movie is Jin Yang ☯️ movie to Scarface. Scarface is a person coming to America trying the limits of the American dream. Carlitos Way is a mature person who sees through the fingers of the American dream and tries to leave this whole place. My favorite gangster film that ages like wine with time. Great clip!
In life especially in criminal life everybody has an angle for their own benefit in every move they make. Like Carlito said, when you stop seeing the angles your in trouble. The camera exposes all the angles throughout the movie which I thought was brilliant.
hes not into the gangster life tho , so its more of a story about how you can never escape it. I can only imagine if he was about the life, it would be an insane gangster film
I think it's critical to analyze Klinefeld's downfall as well. What De Palma is saying with this film is, we live in a society that has no values if you are legit or not. The primary reason is, we are putting the accumulation of things above Love. Carlito participated in this life and sadly, he was doomed to die in it. I think this is the only film in DePalma's filmography that has a such rich texture of character, world weariness, and indulging his love of cinema. I honestly feel that this is his masterpiece and one of the best films of the 90's. By the way, I agree with you about the timeless aspect. This film wears it's decade lightly, it feels it could take place in almost any decade.
Yeah one of De Palma's best, with mercifully few of his embarrassing trademarks, though i really could've done without the simpering use of "You Are So Beautiful". Penn is incredible in the film and never even got a nomination. De Palma had the strangest career of any director I can think of- the highs of this, "Blow Out", "The Untouchables", "Carrie", "Scarface" contrasted with unmitigated crap like "Body Double", "Obsession" and "Sisters".
The Latino (Latin gender-neutral) concept in the USA needs to be revised. Italians are Latin, and all Romance language cultures are Latin. That said, Carlito's Way is a masterpiece and far more sophisticated than Scarface. The scenes and compositions are arranged by a master director, and the music, the color palettes, the rhythm and tempo, and the whole movie is a timeless tragedy. Spanish-speaking people in the Americas can have any phenotype, and no Spanish (Hispanic-Hispanicus/Hispania/Iberian) look exists. For example, Andy Garcia seems very similar to Al Pacino, who is of Cuban ancestry and can pass for blood brothers. Other famous actors are Carlos Ponce, Hector Elizondo, and Ricky Martin, and they have European phenotypes. Some other well-known people of Spanish (Hispanic) ancestry are Vanna White (Puerto Rican), Charlie Sheen (some Iberian ancestry ), Emilio Estevez (some Iberian ancestry), Martin Sheen (some Iberian ancestry), Lynda Carter (Mexican Ancestry), Anita Page of Cuban and Venezuelan ancestry), Rita Hayworth (Spanish and Ecuadorian ancestry) to name a few so-called Latins. There is no Latin homogenous look, is a linguistic and or cultural heritage, and does not have a specific phenotypical look; just as there is no North American Anglophone (people that speak the English language) phenotype, there is no USA phenotype, so let's get past this old stereotype once and for all.
I thought Carlito was in for much longer 5 years like 10 or 15 years because it seems like he is trying to go straight and stay far away from prison. Not for someone who was in for a short stint.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Scarface is like a gangster fantasy and Carlitos way is like a gangsters reality.
Miami is still Miami to this day. It’s just hard to believe that Scarface exist. Literally depicted from real lives, just combined stories to fit one.
Scarface is a dumb gangster and Carlito is a clever gangster but in the end neither of them can escape from the mafia… the street’s always watching
@@LosHuxleysScarface was far from dumb
Scarface is the most famous and iconic one, the game and the movie both is gold just appreciate all Al’s work and when I think of Al Pacino I think of Scarface then comes Godfather second thought . I don’t understand how it’s dumb it’s a movie it don’t need realism as long the gangster movies is entertaining and has a good story it’s enough. The likes of Scarface is a movie that will never die sad that they canceled Scarface 2 game it would take place in Vegas!
Truer words have never been spoken
"It's Benny Blanco from the Bronx"
..... WHO?!
Love this classic line 😂
Absolutely and spot on!!! 😂
Maybe I don’t remember the last time I blew my nose either….
Sasso/ Ronaldo was telling him right though that this is the same guy he was yrs ago. “Neva me”! Ugh it’s hard watching him make mistakes, this is one movie I always feel like has a chance to play out differently no matter how many times I see it.
A brilliant performance by Sean Penn as the sleazy lawyer and Vigo Mortensen is unrecognisable as Carlito’s tragic friend, equally brilliant
Viggo was brilliant in that scene
Holy shit I completely forgot Vigo was his friend that got put in the wheelchair
Hit me years later when I recognized him out of the blue as being in that movie. That guy's an amazing actor.
Llalin!
I was very surprised by his Spanish accent.
its such a good movie, specially because its very different than other gangster films, its less focused on the underground crime story telling and the mafia side of it and more about the psychology of falling into crime, looking for redemption and trying to live a decent life and improve and how at some point it can even be too late to get out of it, it definitely hits you in the feels far harder than most other gangster/crime movies/series do
The prequel was the opposite and more the street/gangster side of it. Good movie as well.
Without mentioning being one of the most visual stunning movies ever made. Greatest looking gangster film ever? Good chance there. De Palma is a genius with the camera.
@@T-roc57
That is interesting. The film is based on 2 books. The author's name is Edwin Torres. The other book is called After Hours. He was actually a judge and at 93 years old he is still going strong.
This is probably the best gangster movie in the 90s. What made it very dope imo, the "square" could relate to every character. Meaning the "straight guys" always want to be gangsters, while the "gangsters" want to be the straight guy. The new young gangster, wants the respect and he going to get it. The # 2 was tired of being # 2 and betray him. His nephew wanted to impress him. The only person that heard him, was the love of his life. But it was too late. He was running from his past, that he didn't see what the future had in store for him...
One of my all time faves, I always stop it when Carlito is running down the platform though. So in my mind, he made it out. 😅
Yeah, that is smart... but I like to cry... that ending will always choke me up... just like T2.
I'm currently rewatching carlitos way right now, I read your comment a few days ago before I rewatched it tonight. I always wanted him to escape and live as well. Your idea of turning it off before he gets shot is a good idea but on watching it tonight it shows you him getting two bullets to the chest or stomach so you can't escape the ending because the film begins with his execution lol
@@jplonsdale7242 I will now just watch the middle section of the film 😂
Great video. "The most underrated gangster film ever made" is the best description of Carlito's Way I have seen. It was not as popular as other movies because Carlito was killed at the end. That is not how American movie viewers like movies to end. I did not watch the film when it first came out but "found" it later and was amazed it had not been more popular. A gangster's journey to become straight and a lawyer's journey to become a gangster. Both fatally failing. Penn's singular best performance in his career. I will always view this Pacino role as one of his best. Thank you.
I think it was an instant classic!!! I rented it and watched it over and over again and before I knew it, it was like 3 months overdue. When I finally went to return it, the store had closed and I added it to my collection for the low, low price of $2.
I remember watching this in the cinema... and going back to watch it again... great movie... a true classic.
Carlito's Way, Goodfellas, Casino, Donnie Brasco are my go to movies.
Very tragic movie in a lot of ways. But one that left a big impression on me as a teenager. Love the idea of someone’s past chasing them. But I found myself pulling for Carlito along the way. Great film, albeit underrated.
Ya I was rooting for him throughout, the lawyer was such a despicable sleaze ball, destined to destroy himself and everyone around him
@@shaneodwyer6132
Good comment here. Penn was outstanding in this. We have all met someone with Dave Kleinfelt's traits at some point in our life.
@@williamweb9782 Penn gets all the attention bc I suppose it was the performance that got him taken seriously (probably b condemned as anti-semitic today) but Pacino brings great pathos to the role which he doesn't get enough credit for. He's so good so often it's like he's taken for granted. He wins for that Scent of a Woman bullshit then ha
"Heavy Duty! Heavy Duty!.....Good to see you out, doing a little, Memory Lane."
Scarface is flashy, violent and really captures the "Cocaine Cowboys" scene of South Florida in the early eighties. However, I think Carlito's Way is a superior movie. Better story and script as well as stronger supporting roles performed perfectly by Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller and John Leguizamo. Also, Carlito's character just seemed more relatable and real while Tony Montana was just a savage.
I just rewatched this recently, as well, go figure. When I was 13 or so I got this movie for Christmas. Came in a bundle with American gangster, Scarface and something else, maybe Donnie Brasco. I enjoyed it a lot, maybe more than Scarface. I ended up giving the dvd to my best friend who loved it more than me. Just waxing nostalgic here, don’t mind me.
I had the same compilation - it is Donnie Brasco!
I've watched this movie 1000 times and the red on the face is something I just realized now that you pointed out.
The ultimate tragedy, the friendship at the heart of it is one of the most beautifully played out I think in all cinema. Performances are brilliant, even the love story with Penelope Ann Miller doesn't come across as hokey or tacked on. De Palma is all big set pieces, long takes and the foot chase at the end is probably the best ever committed to film, Pacino genuinely looks like he's running for his life
The love story is very hokey and tacked on I thought - those scenes stick out like a sore thumb. 👎
"you think you fuckin Big Time, You gonna Die ! Big Time!"
"Here Comes The Pain"
Best line in any gangster Film Ever!
This was a great movie. The story was incredible. The ending was a tearjerker. This is everything that today’s movies or not.
I wouldn't say the most underrated mob film, but definitely one of Pacino's most underrated
it is underrated in terms of not being as popular and mainstream as Godfather, Scarface, Goodfellas, etc, a lot of people have not seen it as far as I know
@Ar1AnX1x don't know where you get this idea not a lot of people have seen it
@@starwarsroo2448 I've talked to all the 8 billion people on the planet and most of them say they haven't heard of the movie
@@Ar1AnX1xi just seen it and i loved it as much as Scarface, i would like to say it could even be caled Scraface 2 lol
Another good Pacino movie performance that people are missing like the Devil's advocate
Yes it is. Saw it in the theater and was blown away.
Yes, it is! I've been proselytizing Carlito's Way for the past 4-6 years! This is so much more than a "gangster movie", it's art. Carlito Brigante is a fully-formed human being, with regrets, friends, humor and love. He's also intelligent but his gangster instincts are like a default switch that is flipped when pressure from the streets is applied. He's done a lot of reading, knows there's a better world or there and can fit into it with time but simply being back in the barrio-even though it's only until he's saved enough money as a nightclub investor to set up his other legit business down in the Caribbean, where he'll be a full partner...he's IN that environment! These dealers and hustlers, their streetwise ways and the temptation to prove how tough you are when confronted by them all add up to a rotten stew. The movie is directed with such elegance, as the camera pans and tilts lovingly on its main characters and uses the same techniques to install uneasiness and fear, almost on the level of other great thrillers, as we feel the forces of selfish men roiling against him. We don't ever know exactly what the people around him are up to, but we can feel that it's usually not good. When he was a gangster there was a cold, a set of rules, honor. Now, not so much, just a bunch of cowboys out for themselves, including his lawyer. As he says after realizing Lalin betrayed him, "There's nobody left." Except for his woman, Gayle. A beautifully fatalistic love story about a good man bound for tragedy.
I appreciate this comment..💯
Poo
@@hardstyleeric😆😆😆💩💩
I appreciate this comment 😊👍🏻
Timeless gangster classic of the 1990s, along with another masterpiece, Heat, and two Scorcese's films. Thank you for a smashing review, as usual, CineRanter.
One of the very best crime films of the 90s... truly iconic and brilliant film
Carlito's Way is completely underrated. Phenomenal acting, writing, etc.
Holy shit dude - you are really, REALLY smart and observant! I've seen this movie many times and the symbolism(s) you pointed
out went over my head each time! This channel is turning out to be one of my prized subscriptions!
Thank you!
no, thank YOU CineRanter!@@CineRanter
It's by far my favourite gangster film. As much as I love, love, love goodfellas, there is just something so tragic about this film. And that end shot and music 'tired baby, tired' 😢 gets me everytime!
I understand your opinion, but Goodfellas is such a classic... I'm divided. :/
@@somegreatbloke Don't get me wrong, I would happily watch goodfellas every day! But for me Carlitos Way is such a tragic but beautiful story that it just edges it for me. Goodfellas is definitely the more iconic film out the two though!
It's in my top ten movie list period
@@dimitrinicomanis It's definitely more romantic / dramatic.
Carlito's Way is far superior to Scareface. Sean Penn's best role and Jonny Soprano is in it 😊
Johnny boy
you don't have any taste.
@plasticweapon what cos I don't go along with the cliché of Scarface being a 'classic'?
Scarface is more a one dimensional story which showcases all the stereotypes associated with drug dealing. Tony Montana sat smoking a cigar in a bubble bath compared to a scene where Carlito watches Gail dance in appreciation couldn't be further apart in the narrative of good storytelling. One conveys a status, the other gives us a look into the mind of a changed man, a man with a really interesting arc.
But hey, that's my taste.
Thank you!!! Faaaaar superior!
@@stephenduckham9736 spot on! Scarface is just a bad movie all around. His whole development as a character just seems sped up.
Well I wouldn't say its better than Scarface. I always viewed it as a companion piece to Scarface. The guy who wants to get out vs the guy who only knows how to stay in. I will say the dialouge is better in Carlito's Way. More subtle. But the action in Scarface, the shootout in the staircase is arguably the greatest shotout in film history. There's an ultimate and inevitable tragedy that befalls both Tony and Carlito. You know its not going to end well for either. Pacino's performance is impeccable in both. So here's to the last of the MoRican's. Carlito's Way is an underrated classic and a must see for any gangster film aficionado. And remember " the streets are always watching."
"Companion piece to Scarface" - well said!
Excellent breakdown. I have to disagree with Carlito seeing his old self in Benny. I would say Carlito was never the piece of shit Benny was because when Carlito came home from prison he still had so many loyal people left who had love for him. That kind of respect doesn't wait for people like Benny.
Yeah but, what did Benny do that was so bad? He tried to show Carlito the up most of respect. The broad in the bar belonged to the bar. Carlito was soft for jumping in Bennie's business like that man. That broad was a hooker man. Benny probably had been messing around with her while Carlito was still locked up.
@@coolpeople4287 What Benny did that was bad is he presumed to be on Carlito's level. Even though he showed Carlito respect, he showed NOBODY else respect and assumed he was someone Carlito should know. Even though alot of that is Benny being a product of the newer street era I still think it's safe to say he made himself a problem. That being said, Carlito probably could have finessed that problem if he cared to. Bottom line he didn't and he should have killed Benny once it got physical. That act of mercy was the glimpse of weakness that cost him everything in the end.
@@rustyjames2202I like Carlito. But he handled this wrong from start to finish. Everybody has to learn. Benny Showed him respect. The woman issue is something that Carlito should not have interfered in. No money was lost. You're in business to make money right? How is Benny so low that he would never get respect as you say he wasn't worthy? Carlito was waaaay wrong on this one man.
@@coolpeople4287 You say "everybody has to learn" as if it is Carlito's responsibility to teach him. It is not. Watch the movie. Do you see ANYBODY patronizing the club being a loud obnoxious dick? Nope. Benny was ruining the atmosphere and that is not true "respect". What he gave Carlito was "lip service" while still doing whatever the hell he wanted. Old Carlito would have killed Benny to send a message.
I've seen Carlito's Way numerous times, and I always catch something I missed from the previous viewings. To me, that's what makes a great movie.👏👏
The reference to Carlito looking Italian by Pete Amandeso or Richard Faronji was a reference to Pacino really being Italian and being well known for being and playing Italians. But it was also a reference to the fact Carlito Brigante the character actually was at least part of Italian. He was from Puerto Rico spoke Spanish and raised in that culture here and in Spanish Harlem. But brigante actually is an Italian name is there is quite a few Italians in Puerto Rico but they're blended in and mixed together with predominantly Spanish/Native American/Black population. In fact his character was supposed to be from the hills of Puerto Rico where there's a lot of people from Corsica which is actually part of France but they speak Italian and are ethnically Italian. Anyway there's probably a lot of Puerto Rican people that are pure Spanish and could probably pass for Italian because Al could pass for Spanish. There are similar to the same Latin roots. And Pacino is Sicilian and the Sicilians have a lot of Spaniard blood in them.
Watching this on Work Time 🔥
I'm with you CineRanter. Easily the most underrated and overlooked Gangster Film. I think I'd take it over Goodfellas.
Damn, dude, that’s a brave statement.. I totally disagree, but you’ve got my respect.
You can’t be serious. 😂
@@dpaceesq - I'm serious like AIDS. Much more cinematic, fantastic supporting characters and a tighter story. Both great films but I lean toward Carlitos Way.
Superb review and great observations that I'd never realised. One of my favorite films and as usual a cracking review. Keep up the excellent content, kind regards
I find myself thinking of Dumas, not just because of the breaking down of a door for a woman that Carlito and Dumas share, but because while most people at least know the Three musketeers in name, the story and impact of the Count of Monte Cristo is probably more widespread in our current zeitgeist. If you somehow substitute Scarface for The Three musketeers you might be able to cobble together my point. Mostly I just wanted to talk about how great that scene is where he busts the door down.
I love this movie, has anyone else ever noticed Brian DePalma's love of Elevator death scenes?
The film is amazing...Penn and Pacino were awesome as were Leguizamo, Mortensen, and Miller!
EXCELLENT, HOWEVER IT'S A PITY THAT YOU DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT THE MAFIA SCENE JUST BEFORE THE METRO CHASE ONE. A MASTERPÌECE. CARLITO TELLING THE AUDIENCE WHAT HE THINKS AT ANY MOMENT...
Carlito didn't owe Davey Kleinfeld nothing because Kleinfeld was a lawyer.
Wrong
“Your not a lawyer nomore davey..your a gangster now ..and you can’t learn it in school and you can’t have a late start. Masterpiece quote
This is my favorite movie of all time thought it was better than Scarface the pool hall scene alone is so anxiety inducing coming from someone familiar with the life
I LOVE this movie.. it very well might be. Great acting by everyone, especially Sean Penn. He was brilliant.
That final chase sequence is brilliant film making.
One of the greatest movies I've ever seen...watched it on TV, and then I went out and bought the DVD as soon as it went off
Better than Scarface. Yeah, I went there. Al Pacino plays a character, not a raving cartoon. Sean Penn was unrecognizable underneath his makeup. Benny Blanco from the Bronx is surprisingly effective (no I don’t know how to spell John’s last name).
Saw it by myself in an empty theater one afternoon… i literally could not move when it was over, i just sat there in awe until someone turned on the lights halfway through the credits….powerful.
I saw Carlito's Way for the 1st time in my 20s way after it came out, and that chase scene in train station was so intense and heartbreaking, after i saw it it became one of those movies if it is on I stop and watch it no matter what.
one of my best movies of all time i just love each and evrey part of this great movie ❤❤
Glad to find your appreciation for this De Palma film. It is a minor masterpiece, I would argue. It is gorgeously filmed and, in my opinion, greatly underappreciated.
Cheers 🍺
Benny Blanco. From the Bronx!
Cousin's with Billy Bob from Bakersfield
Love this review! Very under rated movie…. Please review Mr in-between next…
Hello, fellow Mr In-between fan 💯
One thing about Carlito's Way is that the music played at the club scene is great. All the Disco music played was phenomenal. Sean Penn played a great role.
Brilliant film! One of my favs! Excellent performances! I love the 'Voice-over' narration!x
Nicely done you broke it down perfectly
My favourite Pacino movie and the first one I saw as a kid. I used to get posters from the video shop when I was little, I had a Carlito's Way poster in my bedroom for years before I saw it. The one where Carlito is in the shadows. It's a superslick film.
I love the score to this movie. Especially the very end, when he knows it’s his time, and they’re wheeling him to try and save his life. “Gayle’s gonna be a good mom”
This is a tremendous film Pacino, Penn are great in this, I remember seeing this when it was 1st released a true classic. Have you done a review of thief with James cann another underated movie almost like Heat part 1. I do do know LA take down but Cann is like Neil mk1
I always thought it was underrated. I think it actually really well done . I prefer it instead of Scarface.
9:05-9:25 this is why CR is one of the best … so subtle but so brilliant
Probably my favorite Pacino film. I love Carlitos Way.
"These Italians, I work with 'em, I know 'em."
You could say that, Al... 🤣
"you think you big time? You're gonna fuckin die big time!!!.........You ready?.......Here come the paaainnn!!"
it was Al Pacino's first movie after winning his Oscar .... he gave the most unbelievable performance ever .. it was total perfection ... the way he talks he walks & looking was magical ... flawless .... a lesson in acting
💯 agree this is one of the most underrated gangster films. One of Sean Penn's greatest performances also threw in Viggo mortensen as "Lalin"
SO overdue. Thank You!
“Maybe you don’t remember me? “
“ maybe I don’t remember the last time I blew my nose either, who the fuck are you that is important enough for me to care”
Great, underrated, and often overlooked.
Tony Montana was a blood thusrty Conquistador. When reformed Carlito said his environment made him the way he was, You can believe him
My 3 favorite Brian DePalma movies are all gangster flicks. : Scarface, The Untouchables, and Carlito's Way. The latter is the most under rated. Al Pacino and Sean Penn both gave excellent performances.
"You think you like me? I been with made people. Who you been with?...... Go ahead, go snatch a purse."
a lot of people don't know but this movie also tells the backstory of Aragorn and what went on before he started fighting orcs
F;n diapers!!!! Aragorn sh*t his pants everyday. Couldnt walk, couldnt hump :(
Great breakdown! So many Fuckin dope ass quotes from this movie, it’s unbelievable
I do love Scarface but Carlitos way felt better to me at the time. Love both.
i got 4 minutes into this review before pausing it to watch the film... I'll be back to finish the review afterwards.
Carlito's Way is kind of a beloved cult classic here in Argentina since it features Argentine actor Viggo Mortensen and (kinda) beloved argentine 70s comedian Jorge Porcel as the fat dude from the night club
Sasso used to be Ron
Yes Al hated him
Guys like Carlitos were a dime a dozen in my hood. I’m one in a million 😘
Aww, man! I know what I’m watching tonight now! Love this movie
Check out Empire if you've never seen it. It's not a sequel (there is a Carlitos way 2, but it doesn't count IMO), but more of an homage/love letter to this film. It has John L (who plays Benny Blanco from da Bronx) as the main character. And the ending is pretty fitting.
Masterpiece that for some reason Hollywood establishment hates.
I'm a little ashamed to admit that when this movie did come out, i did kind of dismiss it as a lesser scarface, or maybe some kind of pretender sequel, but this movie doesn't deserve to be called either of those things, and for me its literally gotten better every time i have watched it. Cineranter is right, this IS prime depalma, there is nobody these days putting so much love and style in old school gangster movies besides scorcese. Classic.
That judge is Sunshine the card dealer from the Sopranos.
Though that this movie is Jin Yang ☯️ movie to Scarface.
Scarface is a person coming to America trying the limits of the American dream. Carlitos Way is a mature person who sees through the fingers of the American dream and tries to leave this whole place.
My favorite gangster film that ages like wine with time.
Great clip!
If you can't see the angles no more , you're in trouble .
In life especially in criminal life everybody has an angle for their own benefit in every move they make. Like Carlito said, when you stop seeing the angles your in trouble. The camera exposes all the angles throughout the movie which I thought was brilliant.
Definitely in my top 5 of all time list. Classic cinema.
Hell yeah one of the best gangster movies
hes not into the gangster life tho , so its more of a story about how you can never escape it. I can only imagine if he was about the life, it would be an insane gangster film
At the End...I got teary eyed. #missionaccomplished
I totally agree with ur view on Scarface and Untouchables, Carlito’s way is definitely a more refined film with a better plot and acting performances
Great analysis. Terrific movie far better than scarface one of my favorite gangster films of all time superb performances all around
I think it's critical to analyze Klinefeld's downfall as well. What De Palma is saying with this film is, we live in a society that has no values if you are legit or not. The primary reason is, we are putting the accumulation of things above Love. Carlito participated in this life and sadly, he was doomed to die in it. I think this is the only film in DePalma's filmography that has a such rich texture of character, world weariness, and indulging his love of cinema. I honestly feel that this is his masterpiece and one of the best films of the 90's. By the way, I agree with you about the timeless aspect. This film wears it's decade lightly, it feels it could take place in almost any decade.
Carlito's biggest mistake was disrespecting Benny Blanco.
Actually not killing him
His mistake was not leaving that lifestyle immediately.
Yeah one of De Palma's best, with mercifully few of his embarrassing trademarks, though i really could've done without the simpering use of "You Are So Beautiful". Penn is incredible in the film and never even got a nomination. De Palma had the strangest career of any director I can think of- the highs of this, "Blow Out", "The Untouchables", "Carrie", "Scarface" contrasted with unmitigated crap like "Body Double", "Obsession" and "Sisters".
Body Double was great
The Latino (Latin gender-neutral) concept in the USA needs to be revised. Italians are Latin, and all Romance language cultures are Latin. That said, Carlito's Way is a masterpiece and far more sophisticated than Scarface. The scenes and compositions are arranged by a master director, and the music, the color palettes, the rhythm and tempo, and the whole movie is a timeless tragedy. Spanish-speaking people in the Americas can have any phenotype, and no Spanish (Hispanic-Hispanicus/Hispania/Iberian) look exists. For example, Andy Garcia seems very similar to Al Pacino, who is of Cuban ancestry and can pass for blood brothers. Other famous actors are Carlos Ponce, Hector Elizondo, and Ricky Martin, and they have European phenotypes. Some other well-known people of Spanish (Hispanic) ancestry are Vanna White (Puerto Rican), Charlie Sheen (some Iberian ancestry ), Emilio Estevez (some Iberian ancestry), Martin Sheen (some Iberian ancestry), Lynda Carter (Mexican Ancestry), Anita Page of Cuban and Venezuelan ancestry), Rita Hayworth (Spanish and Ecuadorian ancestry) to name a few so-called Latins. There is no Latin homogenous look, is a linguistic and or cultural heritage, and does not have a specific phenotypical look; just as there is no North American Anglophone (people that speak the English language) phenotype, there is no USA phenotype, so let's get past this old stereotype once and for all.
This is my FAVOURITE movie of all time!!
One of my favorite movies ever ,i knew people like Carlito growing up
Cool review bro, I agree with you
Dope assessment
"No more Sasso!!....My name is Run!!!!.......Run from Ranaldo!!"
That opening scene when carlito was in court room was hilarious
I thought Carlito was in for much longer 5 years like 10 or 15 years because it seems like he is trying to go straight and stay far away from prison. Not for someone who was in for a short stint.